The Army Cadet League of Ontario is investigating the establishment of a Royal Canadian Army Cadet radio network based on Amateur Radio technology.

Dubbed ‘ACORN’, for ‘Army Cadet Ontario Radio Network’, the aim is to support optional training and certification of Army Cadets as licensed Amateur Radio operators throughout Ontario. Possible pilot sites for this initiative include Dryden or Thunder Bay, Timmins or North Bay, Stratford or London, Oakville, Cobourg, 709 Communications Unit at Fort York in Toronto and 2332 Communications Unit in Ottawa.

Radio Amateurs of Canada has been asked to facilitate this project by identifying Radio Amateurs who live in the pilot areas and have the interest, time and qualifications to mentor and provide instruction to young would-be hams, as well as to assist in setting up and managing Amateur Radio stations.

Any interested and qualified Radio Amateur residing in a pilot area is asked to contact Rod Hardman, VE3RHF, email address rod.hardman@gmail.com <mailto:rod.hardman@gmail.com> . Military experience would be helpful but is not a requirement. Those with ARES qualifications and experience could be particularly useful to this project.